“With this man standing next to me [Eddie Hearn] we can do much in heavyweight boxing.”

Usyk, however, is planning a period of rest before setting a date for his next fight.

He said: “You know what, I had the most difficult year with my life. Now I want to rest and spend time with my family.”

Oleksandr Usyk is the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO cruiserweight world champion

Bellew was attempting to become the first Briton to hold all four major world titles – plus the prestigious Ring Magazine belt – in a weight class simultaneously in his final professional bout.

He made a courageous start but was denied the fairytale finish to his career as his opponent demonstrated just why he is rated among one of the finest fighters on the planet.

Usyk gradually started to establish his dominance and closed the show emphatically, flooring his rival with a devastating one-two, prompting referee Terry O’Connor to wave off the count after two minutes of the eighth round.

Bellew was gracious in defeat.

He said on Sky Sports Box Office: “I tried my best and gave it everything. Usyk is a great, great champion. He beat me fair and square, I have no excuses.